Special Chicken Breed: Dual-Purpose Chicken for Small-Scale Producers

High-Performance Breeding Chicken Breed

"Dual-Purpose Chicken for Small-Scale Producers" technology is the development and distribution of chicken breeds capable of both high egg production and meat yield. These dual-purpose chickens are specifically engineered to possess a combination of desirable traits such as low cost, disease resistance, heat tolerance, and efficient feed utilization. In essence, "Dual-Purpose Chicken for Small-Scale Producers" is a comprehensive technology focusing on the development, distribution, and utilization of specialized chicken breeds that serve both meat and egg production purposes, catering to the needs and capabilities of small-scale poultry farming in various African regions.

This technology is TAAT1 validated.

7•7

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 7/9; level of use 7/9

Project adoption

The technology has been integrated in the ENSURE project: in 7 regions of the East African Community

Goal: 3,000,000 farmers (50% women)

149,940 lead farmers and promoters trained

Budget: USD 13.14 million

Implementation period: 2024–2027

See project details ›

1.5—2.0 kg

Weight of chickens in 3 months

120—180 eggs

Production by chickens per year

IP

Open source / open access

Problem

Low productivity and high mortality rate of indigenous chickens
Limited availability of chickens with both egg and meat production capabilities
Lack of access to improved dual-purpose chicken breeds for small-scale producers
Challenges in proper brooding, feeding, and vaccination of chicks
Limited distribution channels for improved chicken breeds to reach smallholder farmers
Insufficient technical support and gender empowerment for brooding unit operators
Need for adjustments in distribution chains to suit different African countries
Requirement for specialized infrastructure and inputs for chicken rearing
Importance of disease resistance, adaptation to tropical conditions, and ability to scavenge in chicken breeds

Solution

Introduction of dual-purpose chicken breeds addressing low productivity and high mortality rates of indigenous chickens.
Establishment of parent stock farms and hatcheries ensuring consistent supply of improved breeds.
Distribution through brooder units specializing in brooding, feeding, and vaccination of day-old chicks.
Enhanced performance of dual-purpose chickens in free-range systems, scavenging efficiently and utilizing nutritional supplements effectively.
Adaptation to local conditions with disease-resistant, heat-tolerant breeds suitable for various African regions.
Technical support and gender empowerment for brooding unit operators provided by Village Poultry Agents.
Improved distribution channels established by private companies for broader access to improved breeds.
Provision of specialized infrastructure and inputs in brooding units to support chicken rearing and minimize disease risks.

Key points to design your business plan

Using Dual-Purpose Chicken for Small-Scale Producers increases poultry productivity, enhances food security, and fosters sustainable livelihoods in rural communities. By offering disease-resistant and cost-effective chickens, the technology aims to advance sustainable development.

As crucial partners, sellers of the product play an indispensable role.

In terms of cost considerations, a 100 to 150 m2 room is suitable for rearing 1000 to 2,000 chicks for 4-5 weeks, accommodating spaces for a brooder unit, growers house, and equipment/utility store. The estimated cost is approximately US $930 to purchase and rear 1000 birds for five weeks.

Regarding profitability, a standard brooding unit in Nigeria yields a profit margin of 30% per batch, depending on feed reliance and costs. Under smallholder conditions, these chickens can reach a weight of 1.5 kg to 2.0 kg in 3 months and produce about 120 to 180 eggs annually. This contrasts with indigenous chickens, which weigh 1.2 kg to 1.7 kg after six months and lay only 75 eggs per year.

To optimize outcomes, establish partnerships with agricultural development institutes and viable commercial production entities to provide support and assist in distribution. Additionally, enhance optimization by integrating with complementary technologies such as Artificial Hatching in Semi-Automatic Incubators.

Adults 18 and over: Positive high

Engaging in poultry farming with dual-purpose chickens can attract younger generations to agriculture, offering them entrepreneurial opportunities and a sustainable livelihood.

The poor: Positive low

The breed’s adaptability makes it suitable for local conditions, reducing input costs and increasing resilience.

Under 18: Positive low

Access to locally bred chickens can improve nutrition by providing a regular source of protein from eggs and meat.

Women: Positive high

Many women in rural areas engage in poultry farming. This dual-purpose breed can empower them by generating income from both egg and meat production, boosting economic independence.

Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable

Small-scale, dual-purpose poultry systems are generally less energy-intensive than large commercial poultry operations, contributing to a smaller carbon footprint by reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with industrial-scale farming.

Farmer climate change readiness: Significant improvement

Dual-purpose breeds require fewer resources compared to industrialized poultry systems. They are typically more adaptable to local conditions

Biodiversity: No impact on biodiversity

It helps preserve genetic diversity in poultry populations, which is often threatened by reliance on a limited number of commercial breeds.

Carbon footprint: Same amount of carbon released

Small-scale, dual-purpose poultry systems are generally less energy-intensive than large commercial poultry operations. It reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with industrial-scale farming.

Scaling Readiness describes how complete a technology’s development is and its ability to be scaled. It produces a score that measures a technology’s readiness along two axes: the level of maturity of the idea itself, and the level to which the technology has been used so far.

Each axis goes from 0 to 9 where 9 is the “ready-to-scale” status. For each technology profile in the e-catalogs we have documented the scaling readiness status from evidence given by the technology providers. The e-catalogs only showcase technologies for which the scaling readiness score is at least 8 for maturity of the idea and 7 for the level of use.

The graph below represents visually the scaling readiness status for this technology, you can see the label of each level by hovering your mouse cursor on the number.

Scaling readiness score of this technology

Maturity of the idea 7 out of 9

Semi-controlled environment: prototype

Level of use 7 out of 9

Common use by projects NOT connected to technology provider

Maturity of the idea										Level of use
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9

Enabling Environments for Sustainable Regional Agriculture Extension (ENSURE)

Project funder: African Development Bank & East Africa Community
Planned Budget: USD 13.14 million
Location: East African Community (Burundi, DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda)
Planned duration: 2024–2027
Deployment means: On-farm demonstrations, training, digital tools (SMS, IVR, video, radio, pictorial guides), bundled inputs + advisory services, Training of Trainers (ToT)
Project main implementer: East African Community (EAC)
Project Description: Strengthen agricultural extension systems using digital tools, private-sector approaches, regional coordination, and multi-commodity focus (maize, cassava, rice, drought-resilient crops).
Objective: Promote regional extension, enhance advisory services, scale climate-smart technologies, build sustainable private sector–led extension systems, strengthen policy and regulatory frameworks.
Expected outcome: Increased adoption of improved technologies, improved farmer productivity and profitability, enhanced access to quality inputs and pest management solutions, strengthened resilience to climate and pest risks, regional market integration, job creation for youth and agripreneurs.
Figures of adoption: Target 3 million farmers reached over 4 years, digital extension pilots in 7 EAC states, training of extension agents, lead farmers, cooperatives, and youth agripreneurs, rollout of Pest Information Management Systems (PIMS).
Profiles of adopters: Smallholder farmers, women, youth agripreneurs, cooperatives and producer organizations, public and private extension agents, National Plant Protection Officers (NPPOs).
Lessons learnt: System-level approaches needed beyond technology delivery, digital tools most effective with in-person facilitation, supportive policy/regulatory environment critical, regional harmonization boosts scalability and cross-border diffusion of technologies.

Countries with a green colour: Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour: Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour: Tested
Countries with a blue colour: Testing ongoing

Countries where the technology is being tested or has been tested and adopted
Country	Testing ongoing	Tested	Adopted
Benin	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Botswana	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Burundi	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Central African Republic	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Côte d’Ivoire	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Democratic Republic of the Congo	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Ethiopia	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Gabon	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Ghana	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Guinea	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Kenya	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Madagascar	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Malawi	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Niger	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Nigeria	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Rwanda	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Senegal	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Sierra Leone	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Somalia	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
South Sudan	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Tanzania	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Uganda	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted

This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.

Agro-ecological zones where this technology can be used
AEZ	Subtropic - warm	Subtropic - cool	Tropic - warm	Tropic - cool
Arid
Semiarid
Subhumid
Humid

Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.

Goal 2: zero hunger

It helps enhance agricultural productivity, ensuring that more households can access affordable, locally-produced food.

Goal 3: good health and well-being

Improved access to high-quality protein from eggs and chicken meat contributes to better nutrition and overall health, especially in rural and underserved populations.

Goal 1: no poverty

It creates opportunities for rural entrepreneurship and economic growth, particularly in low-income communities.

Initial Care for Day-Old Chicks (DOCs): Day-old chicks (DOCs) receive additional heat, light, feed, and medication for up to 21 days within the brooding unit.
Controlled Indoor Environment: DOCs are kept indoors to receive specialized care, preventing exposure to predators and supporting their early nutritional and physiological needs.
Gradual Introduction to Outdoor Scavenging: After the initial period, young birds are gradually introduced to scavenging outdoors.
Support Infrastructure Construction: Brooding units are constructed according to specifications, tailored to the desired production capacity.
Essential Inputs and Feeding: Necessary inputs include formulated feeds such as chicks' mash, grower's mash, and layers' mash, alongside adequate clean water, vaccination, and provision of vitamins.
Hygiene and Disease Prevention: Regular cleaning and disinfection of the poultry house are conducted between production cycles to prevent the onset of pests and diseases.